A request to rezone approximately 30.49 acres of property in west Ocala into a mixed-use development that would feature approximately 468 apartment units and multiple acres of commercial and retail space will come before the Ocala City Council next week for a first reading.
The ordinance to rezone the property will be read into record during the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, November 5.
Agent Paolo Mastroserio will present the request on behalf of his client, CHI Ocala Rancho, LLC, for the property located at 5019 W State road 40.
The property in question is located just a mile from one of Ocala’s biggest interchanges at Interstate 75 and SR 40. It is comprised of two parcels totaling 30.49 acres. A portion of the site is currently unzoned and another portion is zoned as B-5 (wholesale business).
According to property records, CHI Ocala Rancho, LLC purchased the 27.27-acre parcel for $4,400,000 in March 2022. The organization purchased the remaining 3.22-acre parcel for $225,000 in April 2023.
CHI Ocala Rancho, LLC, is registered to Steven Mendez, who owns multiple businesses in Ocala, according to state corporate records.
An image posted to LoopNet.com by Boyd Real Estate shows a rendering of the potential multi-family and commercial development in west Ocala.
According to a city staff report, in 2022, the larger parcel was annexed into the city. At the time, the owner requested a future land use change to Employment Center, telling city staff of their intent to eventually rezone to a PD.
According to the staff report, around 5.54 acres of the property would be used for commercial and retail development, with frontage along W Silver Springs Boulevard.
The multi-family residential portion will be located to the rear of the property and will consist of approximately 24.58 acres, according to the city staff report.
Previously, the property was used for agricultural purposes. Three single-family residences were built on the site decades ago. The property currently has an agricultural exemption, according to Marion County Tax Collector records.
In November 2023, a neighborhood meeting was held between the agent and nearby residents, who asked questions about proposed uses and buffers at the property.
The staff report indicates that one of the most important factors of this particular PD rezoning request is that it introduces “multi-family residential uses to a predominately commercial and industrial area.”
The city says that residential uses in that part of the city will promote “more housing options within” in west Ocala.
In October, the Ocala PZC unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning request.
After the ordinance is read into public record on Tuesday, November 5, the item will have its second and final reading, as well as a vote on its adoption, during the November 19 meeting of the Ocala City Council.
The Ocala City Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
